Tube making machine



De.l1,1936. L FERGUSON f 2,062,303

TBE MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 9, 19.54 5 sheets-sheet .1

Dec 1, 1936- J. FERGUSON '2,052,303

TUBE MAKING MACHINE' Filed Nov. 9. 1934- 5 sheets-'sheet 2 wenfor:

Dec. 1, 19,36. J, FERGUSON 2,062,303

TUBE MAKING MACHINE v Filed Nqv. 9, 1954 l y 5 sheets-sheet 3' Wfl/far.'

Dec. l, 1936. v.1. l.. FERGuso' 2,062,303

TUBE MAKING MACHINE` v Filed Nov. 9, 1934 5 sheets-sheet 4A` i/enfer.' jef/@@5072 a* Sv.

5 Sheets-,Sheet 5 Dfl, 1936- J. FERGUSON v l TUE MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. '9, 1934 A SJ l.

@venian Jai/LL ewson I/V/f//// nl ww Q Patented Dec. 1, 1936 John L. Ferguson, Joliet,'ll1., 'assignoig by .mesne' assignments, to Paul Hawkins, lLos Angeles,

Calif. l

Application November 9, 1934, serai No. 752,210 11 claims.' (ci. sis-so) rIrhis invention relates to tubemaking machines and more particularly to automatic machines for manufacturing so-called spiral wound tubes ofany desired predetermined length.

The particular embodiment illustrated and described herein is arranged to continuously wind -an automatically progressing tube on an angularly adjustable non-rotatable mandrel. Automatic means is provided whereby the continuously progressing tube may be cut into sections of predetermined length. 'fI'he tubes are preferably formed of comparatively narrow strips of tape, usually paper, which are automatically spirally wound on the mandrel to form the continuously progressing tube. A plurality of tapes 'may' be continuously wound on the mandrel to form a desired type of tube. p

The present, invention provides an automatic tube winding machine in which the -tape or tapes may be fed to the mandrel from a'ixed position and in which the mandrel may be angularly adjusted to cause any desired width of tape to be wound thereon with all of the turns in uniform vpredetermined relation.` Means is also provided whereby the relation of the turns may be varied at the will of the operator and without stopping the machine. The position Vof the mandrel relative to any predeterminedwidth of tape or tapes may beso adjusted that the turns may be snugly adjacent or maybe overlapped or may be space in any desired manner.

It is an object to provide a tube winding ma chine in which the position of the tape fed thereto is xed and in which'an angular' adjustment of the mandrel relative to the tape provides accurate means for determining the ,relation oi the coils .in `the nished tube.

Another object is the provision oi' automatic cut-oi! means, whereby the continuouslyprogressing tube may be accurately cut into sections of predetermined length, regardless of the type of winding or of the winding speed or of-the rate at which the tube is progressed from the mandrel.

A further object is the provision of a tube winding machine having a non-rotatable mandrel in which suitable means is provided for rotating the tube on the mandrel to wind the tape thereon to simultaneously form the tube and to continuously progress the tube from the mandrel.

A tube winding machine is provided having a mandrel angularly adjustable relative to the tape being wound thereon and in which a single means is'provided for winding the tube on the mandrel and simultaneously progressing the tube thereon'.4

A further object is the provision of a tube winding machine having a fixed mandrel'and a constantly driven pressure device cooperatingwith the mandrel to wind the tape thereon to form a. continuous tube, and wherein the mandrel and pressure device is so related as to cause the tape l to feed on the mandrel in a substantially unvary# ing relation `thereto and 'to simultaneously and continuously feed the wound tube longitudinally -of the mandrel.

' The invention also provides a variable speed winding mechanism whereby the speed of winding and the consequent progression o! the tube may b`e varied', in combination with an automatic cut-off means for cutting the tube into sections irrespective of the speedof winding and rate of progression.

A further object is the provision of a tube winding machine in which the tubes may be rapidly pregnating material, or a coating similar'v to,

paraflin to the tape whereby the tube may be made substantially moisture prooi. It is therefore an object to provide suitable means for accomplishing these desirable results and whereby substantially any desired type of adhesive or coating or im-- pregnating material may be used or' applied during the winding operation.

A Further" objects will be apparent from the specification and the appendedclaims. Y

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of the invention, a portion being broken away as in Fig.: 2, the mandrel and cooperating pressure roller are-illustrated in parallel axial relation,'also for purposes of illustration.

Figure 2 is a front elevation .of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. l, with a portion of the mandrel carriage (broken away for convenience in illustration.

Figure 3 is a top view ofthe embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 but'with the mandrel moved to operative angular position -relative to the pressure roller and the tape to be wound on the mandrel.

Figure 4 is a horizontal axial section through for purposesof illustration. Infthis view, aswell guide retaining plug'removed.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary top view of the end of the mandrel as illustrated in Fig. 6.

' Figure 8 is a diagrammatic top view of the mandrel and pressure roller and a plurality tape being wound thereon to form a continuously progressing tube. u

Figure 9 is an axial section through the cutting end of the mandrel and illustrates a modied' form of cutting mechanism.

Figure 10 is a transverse detail section of the modified form of the cutting device and taken on a line corresponding to line Iii-I0 of Fig. 9.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal section through the tape guiding means and illustrates a method of water-proofing or impregnating or lubricating the inner tape of a double wound tube.-

Figure 12 is a transverse section through the fixed tape guide and taken on a line correspond- A ing substantiany to une z -l2 of Fig. 11.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the embodiment illustrated comprises a supporting frame I having transverse cross bars or frame members 2 and 2a in( which a vertical shaft 3 may be rotatably supported.l A horizontal mandrel 4 is mounted on a mandrel carriage 5 and this carriage is pivoted on the shaft'3 by means of suitable bearings 6 and 1. The vertical axis of the shaft 3 preferably intersects the horizontal axis of the mandrel 4 and, therefore, the mandrel 4 may be angularly adjusted in a horizontal plane by lateral yswinging movement of the carriage 5 on the vertical axis of the shaft 3. The mandrel 4 is preferably non-rotatable and is xedly secured in a post 8 on the carriage.l The carriage 5 may be adjusted to angularly position the mandrel, by means of a hand wheel 9 ona threaded. shaft I0. This shaft is rotatably anchored in a bearing pivoted at II on the frame I and is v threaded through a pivoted block I2 secured to the can'iage 5. By this arrangement the angular position of the mandrel 4 may be accurately adjusted as desired by manipulation of the hand wheel 9.

A pressure roller I3, preferably of soft rubber, is positioned above the mandrel in a position to frictionally engage tape between the roller and mandrel and to wind the tape spirally thereon When the mandrel is in an adjusted angular position corresponding to the width of the tape and the type of tube desired. 'Ihe roller I3 is preferably located directly over the axis of the vertical shaft 3 andtherefore on the-vertical pivotal axis of the mandrel and carriage. 'I'he roller I3 is secured to a shaft I4 mounted in an adjustable bearing member I5, which latter is, in turn, pivoted at 'I6 on `a bracket I1 secured to the framel. The bearing member I5 is provided with an o twardly extending worm gear segment I8 meshing with a worm I9 (Figures 2 and 3). A hand Wheel 20 on the shaft of the worm I9 permits the pressure of the roller I3 against the mandrel to be accurately adjusted and also permits the pressure roller Ato be raised to permit the inser- .tion of tape on the mandrel and between the mandrel and the roller.

The pressure roller I3 is constantly driven from' a suitable power source, such as a motor 2l ,the mandrel and tube cutting mechanism vsupmounted on the frame I, and connected to drive the pressure roller shaft I4 and pressure roller thereon through a suitable transmission, including a variable speed mechanism. The transmission from the motor 2| comprises a belt 22 driving a. pulley 23 secured to a rotatable shaft 24. The shaft 24 is mounted in suitable bearings on a bracket 25 secured to the frame I. An adjustable member 25 is pivotally mounted on the axis of the shaft 24 and is provided at its opposite end with a variable speed pulley 21 on -a shaft 28, whiclrlatter is mounted in' suitable bearings in the adjustable member 26. The shaft 28 and the variable speed pulley 21 thereon are driven from the shaft 24 by means of a sprocket chain 29 on suitable sprocketssecured to the shaft 24 and shaft 28, respectively. 'I'he variable speed pulley- 21 is connected in driving relation with a pulley 30 by means of a belt 3l. The pulley 30 is secured to a short shaft 32, which latter is mounted in a suitable bearing o n the bracket 'l1 at the top of the machine. A pinion 33 is securedto the other end of the shaft 32 and is in mesh with Va gear 34 secured lto the pressure roller of such a'varlable speed pulley is old and well y.

known they require no further description.

'I'he bracket 25 is provided with an arm 35 overhanging the. adjustable member 28, and a screw 38 is arranged for adjustable engagement with the member `25, whereby the distance .between the pulleys may be varied by moving the pulley 21 a greater or lesser distance from the pulley 30 to obtain adesired speed of the" pressure roller I3. p

It will be particularly noted that a. desired angular position of the mandrel 4 may be obtained by manipulation of the hand wheel 9; a suitable pressure of the roller I3 may be obtained by adjusting the hand wheel 20; and the speed of the roller I3 may be accurately adjusted by means of the adjusting screw 38, thereby providing a maximum number of tube variations with 4a minimum number of adjustments.

the manner illustrated in Fig. 8 by means of the pressure roller I3. It will be understood that one or more tape may be simultaneously wound on the mandrel to provide the desired type of tube; also, that the angular relation of the pressure roller and'mandrel and the frictional engagement of the tape therebetween -will\cause the nished tube tobe rotated on the mandrel to continuously wind tape thereon and to simultaneusly progress the tube longitudinally on the mandrel and beyond the free end thereof. Therefore, the speed of the pressure roller I3 determines the speed of winding andthe consequent longitudinal progression rate of thetube from the mandrel.

In the embodiment illustrated, particularly as shown in Figs. 2 and 8, tapes A and B are simultaneously wound on the mandrel to provide a continuously` progressing tube comprising van inner layer of the spirally wound .tape A and an pletely covers the joint between the edges of the aoeasosn turns of the tape A. The tapes A and B may be of the same width or may be of different widths,

in accorda-nce with the type of tube desired.

In operating the machine, the mandrel is adjusted to a desired angle C (Fig. 8), which angle determines the lead of the winding, and the mandrel may be accurately adjusted so that all of the turns-of the tape as they are wound on the mandrel will be closely adjacent if desired. A further adjustment of the mandrel in one direction will cause the tape to wind on the mandrel with overlapping turns, while an adjustment in the opposite direction will cause the turns to be spaced any desired amount.

The sine of angle C for closely adjacent turns may be found `by dividing the width of the tape by the circumference of the mandrel. It will, therefore, be obvious that a protractor may be laid out on either the mandrel carriage or the 'frame and a pointer on the cooperating member and the required angle for any width of tape for closely wound tubes may be easily determined.

Also, any desired width of tape may be usedto provide any desired type of Winding, and it is only necessary to angularly adjust the mandrel by means of the hand wheel 9 in order to adjust the winding of the tape as desired. This may be done while themachine is in operation and without previously determining the angle. The tape is preferably fed to the mandrel through a suitable iixed guide and a plurality of tape may be applied simultaneously as shown. v

. The roller I3 is preferably so positioned relative to the tape being fed tothe mandrel that the pressure is applied after the first complete turn of the tape on the mandrel, as illustrated in Fig. 8. The angular relation of the pressure roller causes the wound tape and the tubeformed thereby to be rotated on the mandrel and, simultaneously,

the tube will be longitudinally progressed beyond the end of the mandrel.

constantly moving longitudinally from the mandrel and may be automatically cut into sections on a line` corresponding to line D (Fig. 8) by means of suitable cutting -mechanism which isv mounted within the fixed shell of the mandrel.

l The cutting mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 4 to '1, inclusive, and comprises a sleeve 31 mounted for longitudinal movement in the mandrel 4. This sleeve is provided with a stop portion 39 and is normally retained in the position illusvtrated in Fig. 4 by means of a'spring 39. A rotatable hollow shaft 40 is mounted in the sleeve 31 and provided with apulley 4I secured thereto by which it may be constantly driven at a high speed from a suitable power source.

The rotatable shaft 4l) is provided'at its outer end with a head 42. This head 42 is bored out in Y a manner to provide an lnnercurved surface 43 Aand is also provided with a plurality of longitudinal slots 44 arranged to receive the radial arms 45 of a cooperating slotted cutter guide member 4l, which latter-is provided with a cone-like guide surface 4'lA spaced from the guide surface 43 in order to allowsuitable cutting members to be guided therebetween. VA retaining plug 48 is threaded into the slotted end of the head .to retain the guide member u therein in the position inus- Vtrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

A megaummuy movable mais is mounted in the hollow shaft 4l and a plurality of The tube is therefore guided outwardly by means of the cooperating guide surfaces on the member 46 and the head 42. The outer ends of these wires are sharpened and it will be obvious that when the rod 49 is longitudinally moved, the outersharpened ends of all of these wires will simultaneously move outwardly into cutting relation with any tube which may be on the mandrel 4.

The longitudinally movable cutter rod 49 is I' provided' at its opposite end with'a collar 53 and is normally retained with the cutters retracted, and in the position shown, by means of a spring 54. The rod 49 may be longitudinally moved to move the cutters to cutting position by means of a cam controlled arm 55 which is suitably operated by mechanism which will be'described later.

The longitudinally movable sleeve 31, in which ,the cutter shaft 4l) is mounted, may also be moved longitudinally by means o f a suitable cam arm 56, 'the yoke of which is illustrated in Fig. 4 in ,connection with a suitable slot and pin connection to the sleeve 31whereby the sieeve may be moved longitudinally whenthe cam arm 56-is operated in a'manner to be described later. It will therefore be apparent that if the' sleeve 31 is, moved longitudinally to the right-(Figs. 4 and 5) the entire head 42, including the cutters 50 therein,

will also be moved and in this movement may be f in timed relation to the continuously progressing movement of thetube l on the mandrel. Therefore, if during this longitudinal movement of the operated to move the cutter rod 49 longitudinally in the same direction and relative to the head 42, the cutters will all be simultaneously moved a outwardly into the path of the tube, and due to the large number of cutters andthe high speed at which the cutter head is driven the tube will be almost instantly cut and the cutters may then be immediately retracted and the cutter head 42 returned to its normal position by rearward movement of the sleevell.

It should be particularly noted that any variation in the speed of the pressure rollerk I3, previously described, will cause a corresponding increase in the tube winding and longitudinal progressing rate of the tube from the mandrel. Therefore varying the speed of the roller will also vary the length of the sections cut from the tube, and the. length may be very accurately determined.

It is desirable, although not necessary, that the cutter head 42the cam controlled arm 55 is longitudinal movement of the cutter head should be substantially the same as the rate of longitudinal movement of the tube. f Infact, thesections may be satisfactorily cut-.from vthe tubewithout any `longitudinal movementof the cutter head as the large number of cutters are so close together and each. one cuts so short a distance that the tube is almost .instantaneously severed. and the.

cutters; withdrawn.

The pulley, secured to the cutter shaft 49, is driven from la motor 51 by means of' a belt 59. The motor l1 is securedtothe mandrel carriage l and is movable ther-ewan.. .'rbelonzltudmel rotatably mounted on the vertical shaft 3 This cam comprises a portion 60 arranged for cooperation with asuitable roller on the cam arm 5l whereby at a predetermined time the sleeve 31 will be moved longitudinally in the direction of movement of the tube on the mandrel. 'I'he cam arm 56 is pivoted at 6| on the mandrelcarriage 5. The cam controlled arm 55, for causing the longitudinal movement of the cutter rod 49 to extend the cutters into cutting position, is secured to a vertical rock-shaft 62 on thel carriage 5, and a cam arm 63 is also secured to the rock-shaft and provided with a roller for cooperation with a raised portion 64 on the cam 59, whereby the cutter may be momentarily expanded. The cam 59, for controlling these operations, is provided with a bearing sleeve 65, on the opposite end of which is secured a beveled gear 66. This gear is in mesh with a pinion 61 on a shaft 68 mounted in suitable bearings and provided with a gear 69 thereon meshing with a pinion secured to the shaft 24 'of the main transmission and between the motor and the variable speed mechanism, the shaft 24,

as previously stated, being driven directly from the motor by means of the belt 22. By this arrangement the cam speed is not aected by a change in the pressure roller speed and the length of the cut sections may therefore be varied by changing the roller speed.

The machine is very ilexible in operation and many diierent types of tubes may be wound thereon, and adjustments may be easily and accurately made to meet all necessary requirements.

In the present embodiment, the method of guiding and treating a plurality of tapes as they are fed to the mandrel is illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, and, although the mandrel and the pressure roller are illustrated in parallel relation in Fig. 2

for purposes of illustration, it will, of course, be

obvious that an angular position relative to the tape as shown in Fig. 3 is necessary to provide a -desired type of winding. As shown in Fig. 2, a

roll of tape 1I may be supported in any suitable location and the tape is guided over the roller 'l2 and passes under and in contact with a felt swab or other suitable material 13 which is supported'on a bracket 14 on trame 2a, and the tape then passes around a roller 15 and through a suitable guide block 16 to the mandrel 4. A tank 11 may be supported above the felt member 13 and provided with a tube or channel 18 whereby paraflin or a suitable water-prooiing or lubricating or impregnating material may be applied to the felt member 13, which in turn applies it to the inner surface of the inner tape A. The inner surface of the tube :may therefore be completely coated with parafiin or other material if desired.,l

The outer tape B is preferably provided on its inner surface with a suitable adhesive. This may be a dry adhesive which has'been previously applied to the tape and a moistener 19 may be used for moistening the adhesive whereby the coils will be caused to adhere by the pressure of the roller I3. The moistener 19 may, of course, be used either to apply moisture to a dry adhesive previously applied to the tape or to apply a moist adhesive to the tape, and comprises a' moistener or adhesive-applying roller 80 partially submerged in either water or'adhesive, the tape being guided over and under suitable rollers and in contact with lthe applying roller 80. A scraper 3| is also provided whereby the surplus of either moisture or adhesive may be removed as the tape is fed through the device.

The guide Vblock 13 is illustrated in detail in Figs. 11 and 12 and comprises a base 32 secured to the bracket 14 and provided with a longitudinal slot 83 to guide the inner tape A. An intermediate cover 34 is hinged at 35 and may be raised lfor the insertion oi the tape. A second cover I6 is hinged on the intermediate cover at 81 and is provided with a guide slot 88 for the tape B, this guide slot being ott-set, as illustrated, so that the tapes may overlap in a desired manner. It will. of course, be understood that varying-thicknesses and varying widths of tape may be used and may be made to overlap as desired, and a guide block may be provided in accordance with a desired tape relation. For instance, the outer tape may be of considerably thinner material than the inner one and arranged to cover the joint between the turns of the inner coils and be cemented thereto. With Such a construction the tube may be easily unwound from around its contents by unwinding the inner turns and the outer thin turns will easily tear along the spiral joint of the inner tape. Such a construction is sometimes used for ice cream containers. Y

The guide block A16 is provided with a latch 33 whereby the hinged covers may be retained in position. Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate a modied form of cutter head in which the shaft 40a is provided with a flange 90 on which is pivoted a plurality of segmental knives 3|. These knives are pivoted at 92 and are normally retained in non-cutting position by means of tapered pins 93 secured in a flange 94 on the end of a longitudinally movable rod 49a, and snugly tting through holes $5 in the knives. 'Ihe pins 93 also extend into holes 96 in the iiange 90. It will be obvious that when the rod 49a is longitudinally moved, the taperedpins 93 will be partially withdrawn from the holes 35 in the knives 9|, and as the cutter head rotates at high speed relative 'to the tube, the centrifugal force will cause the knives to be forced outwardly as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 10, thereby quickly cutting the tube. The cutter head preferablyrotates in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 10, and the forward edges 91 of the knives are sharpened so that the cutting is accomplished from the spirit of the invention, and it is desired,

therefore, that the invention be limited only-by the prior art and the scope of the .appended claims.

Having thus disclosed this invention, what is claimed and desired to be securedby Letters Patent is:

1. A tube winding machine comprising a mandrel, a rotatable pressure roller arranged to wind a tape spirally on 'said mandrel, the axis of the pressure roller being at an angle to the mandrel axis substantially equal to the lead f the spiral,

and means for`changing the relative angle between said mandrel and said pressure roller while maintaining the angular relation between the roller and tape.

2. A tube Winding machineof the character described comprising a mandrel, and a pressure roller cooperating with said mandrel to wind pivoted for angular adjustment relative to said roller on an axis intersecting the axes of said' mandrel and said roller. l

3. In a tube winding machine, a carriage, a mandrel supported by said carriage, meansA for pivoting said carriage for swinging movements, means for moving said carriage on its pivot, and a rotatable pressure roll .cooperating with said mandrel.

4. In a tube forming machine, a pivotally supported carriage, a mandrel carried by said carriage, means for adjusting said carriage, a vertically tiltable frame above said carriage, a roller journaled in said frame and means for tilting said frame.

5. In a tube forming machine, a vertical shaft, a carriage pivoted on said shaft, a mandrel supported on said carriage, means for adjusting said carriage in azimuth, and a roller cooperating.

Withsaid mandrel, said roller being in vertical alignment with said shaft.

6. In a tube formingmachine. a carriage, means for supporting said carriage for horizontal adjustment including a pivot member, a mandrel supported by said carriage, a pressure roller cooperating with said mandrel in the axis of said pivot member.

7. In a tube forming machine, a mandrel, a pivotalsupport for said mandrel, means for adjusting said mandrel on said support, and a roller cooperating with said mandrel 1n the axis of said pivotal support.

8. In a tube forming machine, a vertical pivot member, a carriage having bearings journaled upon said pivot member, means for swinging said carriage on said pivot member, a mandrel supported upon said carriage, and a vertically adjustable roller cooperating with said mandrel in the axis of said pivot member.

9. A tube winding machine including a manl drel, a pressure roller cooperating with said mandrel to wind tape thereon to form a tube, means mounting said4 pressure roller for rotation relative to said mandrel about an .axis extending at an acute angle to the longitudinal axisv of said mandrel, and. means pivotally mounting said mandrel relative to the axis of said roller, the

axis of said' pivot being disposed in a line passing.

through both the longitudinal axis of said mandrel and the axis of rotation of said roller along a planevextending at right angles to'the axis of said roller and within the boundaries of said roller.

10. A tube winding machine including a mandrel, a pressure roller cooperating with said mandrel to wind tape thereon to form a tube, means mounting said pressure roller for rotation relative to said mandrel about an axis extending at mandrel, and means mounting said mandrel for movement relative to said roller to vary said andrel, and means mounting said mandrel for movement relative to said roller to vary said angle, the axis vof said movement passing through the -intersection-l of two given planes, one drawn through the mandrel at right angles to its longitudinal axis and the other drawn through the roller at right angles to its axis of rotation and passing through the center of the face of said roller.

y JOHN L. FERGUSON.

lan acute angle to the longitudinal axis of said 

